Lillyman looks for speedy recovery

No doubt about it, last week was one that Jacob Lillyman wants to quickly forget.

The 33-year-old prop was in the Queensland side that was smashed 28-4 in State of Origin on the Wednesday, then backed that up by being in the Warriors team that lost 32-24 to the Eels four days later.

Lillyman hopes to make amends for those defeats with a Warriors win against the Titans on the Gold Coast today, but he admits last week was a punishing one.

‘‘It was tough, I’m not going to lie,’’ Lillyman said. ’’The Origin game was very tough and the fatigue levels were at an all-time high.

‘‘To back up a couple of days later was tough. But I’m glad I did it, I’m glad I got through it and I was looking to put all of that behind me with a win for the Warriors, but that didn’t happen.

‘‘Now it’s about focussing on the future, the Titans and a massive game against them.’’

Lillyman is right about how important the Titans game is. Both teams are on 10 points on the NRL ladder and if the Warriors are to make the top eight, they need to win.

Another loss away from Mt Smart Stadium, during the time in the season when the Warriors are traditionally at their strongest, would be disastrous even though there’s still plenty of the season left.

With the hole the Warriors are in, it’s important that senior players such as Lillyman stand up and while no one knows what gets said among the players in the changing shed, he says there have been no falling outs or finger pointing.

‘‘There hasn’t been any of that going on,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s a collective thing, we don’t lay the blame on any individual.

‘‘When there are points scored it’s not normally because of one thing, there are a combination of things that go into it.

‘‘After the Broncos performance, that was a real kick in the guts, so we’ve got to make sure we bounce back this weekend.’’

Lillyman’s contract with the Warriors finishes at the end of the season and it’s believed he’s been offered a new one-year deal.

However, he was reluctant to comment on this, although he said he would like to remain.

Meanwhile, the club has signed hooker Manaia Cherrington on a second-tier contract from the Sharks, with Erin Clark leaving the club to join the Raiders. Also on his way out is prop Toafofoa Sipley, who has signed a two-year deal with the Sea Eagles.